Robert L. Holman has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for provided masked structures on an embossed substrate. In one aspect, these masked structures may be reflected facets for use as part of a frontlight film. In another aspect, these masked structures may be masked wiring for use as part of a capacitive touchscreen array. In one aspect, the structures may have a discrete mask formed thereon, while in other aspects, these structures may have self-masking attributes, and may include an interferometric black mask.

Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods, and apparatuses for low-profile lighting systems. In one aspect, a lighting apparatus can include a lighting apparatus having a light emitter and an electronics substrate including an electrical circuit. An unrolled capacitive film can be attached to the lighting apparatus and electrically coupled to the electrical circuit.

Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for a beam pattern projection device that includes a modulating array of light sources. In one aspect, the beam pattern projection device may include a lens. The array of light sources can be positioned such that its output plane is substantially one focal length away from the lens along the optical axis. The output of the array of light sources can be controllable to create an adjustable beam pattern out of a plurality of possible beam patterns that are each associated with a power level of each light source in the array of light sources. The device can project at a distance the adjustable beam pattern created by the array of light sources.

Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods, and apparatus for providing illumination. In one aspect, a light guide can be configured to propagate light received from a light source. The light can be propagated by total internal reflection (TIR) within the light guide. The light guide can include an output surface configured to output light and one or more light extraction elements, which are configured to redirect the light propagating in the light guide so that the light exits the light guide through the output surface. The light guide can have tapered side walls that are configured to at least partially collimate the light that is to exit out of the output surface. In some implementations, the light guide can be used to provide illumination for display devices, other electromechanical systems, or for lighting a room or task area.

Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus relating to implementations of an electrically controlled light conditioning sheet. In one aspect, the electrically controlled light conditioning sheet includes a planar electrode having a first conductor and a second conductor and a transmissive elastic layer. The transmissive elastic layer is configured to deform in response to a potential difference applied between the first and the second conductor and produce regions of optical refractive power. The angular spread and/or the radiation pattern of an incoming beam of light incident on the electrically controlled light conditioning sheet is altered by the action of the regions of optical refractive power produced by the applied potential difference.

Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for low-profile lighting systems. In one aspect, an LED-based light engine, which may be thinner and/or lighter than conventional light engines, may be retained in both conventionally-dimensioned and low-profile light fixtures. In another aspect, a light engine can include both convective and conductive heat transfer components, the efficacy of which will vary based on the dimensions of a light fixture in which the light engine is installed.

Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods, and apparatus for providing illumination for lighting systems. One or more light emitters can be disposed about a longitudinal axis, such as in an at least partial polygonal shape, so that the light sources emit light radially outwardly away from the longitudinal axis. A collimating reflector can be disposed radially outward of the one or more light emitters and can be configured to at least partially collimate the light and to substantially preserve etendue of the light emitted from the light emitters. The one or more light emitters can substantially fill an input aperture of the collimating reflector in a direction of the longitudinal axis. The light can be coupled into a light guide, which can be configured to distribute the light to a target lighting area.

Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods, and apparatuses for array illumination. In one aspect, an array of light engines is coupled to a support structure. Each light engine can be separately controlled to achieve a desired output beam. In another aspect, a support structure includes an array of LED emitters. The support structure is configured to removably receive a plurality of light guides over the array of LED emitters, thereby forming an array of light engines. The support structure can include an integrated heat sink in thermal communication with the array of LED emitters. Light from the LED emitters is distributed over the surface of the light guides to produce a desired output beam. The light engines can be configured to produce output beams of differing color, direction, shape and/or size.

Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for providing a desired illumination pattern within a given plane. In one aspect, a light wash system can be configured to provide substantially even illumination on a wall or floor. The light wash system can use light-shaping optics such as a stack of optical films to provide a light wash system which is smaller than conventional light wash systems which utilize parabolic reflectors. The light wash system may include an internal retroreflector to allow a wider range of throw distances for the light wash system.

Abstract: Systems and methods for flash illumination are disclosed. In one aspect, a flash illumination system includes sections each including a light source and a reflector. Each of the light sources includes a single light-emitting region having a first centroid and a package surrounding the single light-emitting region. The package has an exit aperture having a second centroid. The first centroid can be laterally offset from the second centroid. The reflectors include an input aperture, an output aperture, and one or more sidewalls therebetween. The input aperture is optically coupled to the exit aperture. One or more sidewalls are configured to collimate light propagating from the light source.

Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods, and apparatuses for low-profile lighting systems. In one aspect, a lighting apparatus can include a lighting apparatus having a light emitter and an electronics substrate including an electrical circuit. An unrolled capacitive film can be attached to the lighting apparatus and electrically coupled to the electrical circuit.

Abstract: The present invention introduces a new class of thin doubly collimating light distributing engines for use in a variety of general lighting applications. Output illumination from these slim-profile illumination systems whether square, rectangular or circular in physical aperture shape is directional, square, rectangular or circular in beam cross-section, and spatially uniform and sharply cutoff outside the system's adjustable far-field angular cone. Some embodiments provided include thin light distributing engines which provide input light collimated in one meridian and a light distributing element that maintains input collimation while collimating output light in the un-collimated orthogonal meridian, in such a manner that the system's far-field output light is collimated in both its orthogonal output meridians.

Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for illumination devices. In one aspect, an illumination device having a longitudinal axis includes a light source and a light guide. The light guide has a peripheral edge, a transmissive illumination surface, a center portion, and an upper surface. The transmissive illumination surface is oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and disposed between the center portion and the peripheral edge. The upper surface is oriented relative to the illumination surface to define an angle ? therebetween. In some implementations, the angle ? can be greater than 15 degrees, for example.

Abstract: The present invention introduces a new class of lightweight tile-based illumination systems for uses wherein thin directionally-illuminating light distributing engines are embedded into the body of otherwise standard building materials like conventional ceiling tiles along with associated means of electrical control and electrical power interconnection. As a new class of composite light emitting ceiling materials, the present invention enables a lighter weight more flexibly distributed overhead lighting system alternatives for commercial office buildings and residential housing without changing the existing materials. One or more spot lighting, task lighting, flood lighting and wall washing elements having cross-sectional thickness matched to that of the building material or tile into which they are embedded, are contained and interconnected within the material body's cross-section.

Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for low-profile lighting systems. In one aspect, an LED-based light engine, which may be thinner and/or lighter than conventional light engines, may be retained in both conventionally-dimensioned and low-profile light fixtures. In another aspect, a light engine can include both convective and conductive heat transfer components, the efficacy of which will vary based on the dimensions of a light fixture in which the light engine is installed.

Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for providing a desired illumination pattern within a given plane. In one aspect, a light wash system can be configured to provide substantially even illumination on a wall or floor. The light wash system can use light-shaping optics such as a stack of optical films to provide a light wash system which is smaller than conventional light wash systems which utilize parabolic reflectors. The light wash system may include an internal retroreflector to allow a wider range of throw distances for the light wash system.

Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods, and apparatuses for array illumination. In one aspect, an array of light engines is coupled to a support structure. Each light engine can be separately controlled to achieve a desired output beam. In another aspect, a support structure includes an array of LED emitters. The support structure is configured to removably receive a plurality of light guides over the array of LED emitters, thereby forming an array of light engines. The support structure can include an integrated heat sink in thermal communication with the array of LED emitters. Light from the LED emitters is distributed over the surface of the light guides to produce a desired output beam. The light engines can be configured to produce output beams of differing color, direction, shape and/or size.

Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods, and apparatuses for a multi-beam light engine. In one aspect, a light source is coupled with an optical film such that light emitted from the light source passes through the optical film. The optical film can be a composite film including one or more sections, each of which is configured to operate differently on the input beam emitted from the light source. The optical film can be configured to produce one or more output beams of differing color, direction, and/or beam width.

Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for securing a light fixture in place. In one aspect, the light fixture can be configured to retain an LED-based light engine, which may be thinner and/or lighter than conventional light engines. In another aspect, the light fixture can be configured to be installed in a pre-cut aperture in a structural member, such as a ceiling, soffit, or wall. In another aspect, the light fixture may include a serrated upper edge configured to cut into a structural member to form an aperture, without the need to pre-cut the aperture.

Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus relating to implementations of an electrically controlled light conditioning sheet. In one aspect, the electrically controlled light conditioning sheet includes a planar electrode having a first conductor and a second conductor and a transmissive elastic layer. The transmissive elastic layer is configured to deform in response to a potential difference applied between the first and the second conductor and produce regions of optical refractive power. The angular spread and/or the radiation pattern of an incoming beam of light incident on the electrically controlled light conditioning sheet is altered by the action of the regions of optical refractive power produced by the applied potential difference.